Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is developing a software application for Android-based cell phones that can help fishermen detect or locate fish spots.

Head of Research and Development of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Aryo Hanggono said the application, called Seapodym, will be integrated with the fish detection technology developed by the Ministry.

Seapodym will use satellite application technology to detect and decode live fish in waters. Android-based phones will make the information and coordinates of fish locations accessible to fishermen.

The technology will also be capable of detecting and locating zooplankton, micronecton (shrimps, squids and lobsters) and several tuna species such as yellow-fin, bigeye and skipjack, Hanggono noted.

"Therefore, it will help fishermen locate fish spots more accurately. Moreover, smartphones are cheaper now," Hanggono stated.

The application will be launched in the first semester of 2015, Hanggono added.

Fishermen currently receive information about the location of fish through SMS (Short Messages Service).

"Indramayus local fishery office sends SMSs with coordinates of fish locations to fishermen. Thus, they save 30 percent of fuel and increase their catch by 60 percent," Hanggono explained.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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